Please join Dr. Alice Cronin-Golomb, Boston University, for a presentation entitled “Visual Perception, Attention and Cognition in Parkinson’s Disease.” The lecture will take place on September 5, 2017 as part of the Research Lecture Series in Lecture Hall 2. All are welcome to attend. One hour of Mass CE will be awarded. Please join us for a light reception in Conference Room 1 following the lecture.

Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD), which was first described 200 years ago, is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms but also associated with numerous non-motor symptoms related to pathology in multiple areas of the brain, from the lower brain stem to the higher-order cortex. The non-motor symptoms include, among others, changes in visual perception, attention, and cognition, all of which may be targeted for intervention to improve quality of life. In this presentation, we will consider the visual and spatial (attentional and cognitive) abilities that are disrupted in PD and discuss new interventions, including visual-cue training for navigation, and an action intervention to address biological-motion perception deficits and thereby improve walking. If time and interest permit, we will also discuss our current trial of visual attentional training in PD. Moving beyond the traditional view of PD as a motor disorder and considering the full spectrum of non-motor symptoms, including in perception, attention, and cognition, will be an important step toward enhancing understanding of the course of the disease and treating its symptoms.